Ontario Library Association Super Conference

Ontario Library Association Super

Conference

January 29, 2004

Toronto, Ontario

Community Access Network Ontario (CANO)

CANO – History

Conceived at Provincial CAP Conference in March 2001Group from conference continued to work on the projectNot any organization’s mandateMet in Guelph June 2002Applied to Province & Industry Canada for funding to establish organization and develop business plan

CANO - Background

Group from Guelph form Steering Committee

Representation from remote, rural, urban, schools, libraries, First Nations

Member based “umbrella” organization – provincial network of networks

“Aggressively Inclusive” mandate

CANO Project Partners

Contract with Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing & Industry CanadaBlue Sky Region Community NetworkTechnology Alliance Group for

Kawartha LakesWIL Employment Connections

CANO – Current Status

Successful in obtaining matching funds from Province & Industry Canada

Project currently underway

Have received confirmation of Incorporation

Will create by-laws, elect Board of Directors, write business plan for next 18 months

Develop communications links

Meeting with stakeholders Dec 1st

CANO – Vision

"CANO, as the voice of community access sites, envisions a diverse and accessible technological base through which all Ontarians will have the opportunity to benefit from the Internet.”

CANO - MissionCANO is a member-led, provincial association of not-for-profit public Internet access providers. It supports, promotes and facilitates continued advancement of a diverse group of public Internet access sites, assisting them in their role of influencing information technology awareness, training and fluency in their communities.

CANO – Benefits of Membership

Professional developmentInformation exchangeCommunication vehicleService quality enhancementSustainabilityAdvocacyResearch and publicationsLinkagesPolicy development

CANO - CommunicationNewsletters.

Chat rooms.

Broad distribution bulletins.

Regional meetings on-line and in-person.

Website

Comprehensive province-wide database of public Internet access sites categorized by region and by user groups

CANO – Next Steps

Secure funding for Phase II of Implementation of Business Plan

Hire staff

Membership Drive

First AGM spring of 2004

Pursue relationships with Private Sector Partners through Advisory Committee

CANO - SummaryLiaison between member organizations and provincial and federal government departmentsAdvisory committee from private sector, private sector partnershipsEconomies of scale/increased buying powerPrimary goal sustainability of CAP in the Province of Ontario

CANO – Contact UsFor more information, or to have your name added to the CANO database and mailing list, contact:

Lisa Rusal – Project LeadWIL Employment Connectionslisar@wil.caTelephone 519-663-0774Fax 519-663-5377